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Edition 2, 2010 (PDF 2.1MB) - University of the Sunshine Coast

Edition 2, 2010 (PDF 2.1MB) - University of the Sunshine Coast

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<strong>University</strong> appointsnew Vice-ChancellorThe <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Sunshine</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> hasappointed Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Greg Hill as its newVice-Chancellor and President.A special meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> USC Councilin late May approved <strong>the</strong> appointment <strong>of</strong>Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hill, who has been <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’sDeputy Vice-Chancellor since 2005.Chancellor John Dobson said <strong>the</strong>selection panel received more than 20high-quality applications for <strong>the</strong> position,with applications from as far away as GreatBritain and <strong>the</strong> United States.He said <strong>the</strong> panel was impressed byPr<strong>of</strong>essor Hill’s strong vision for <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> and his commitment to USC’skey goals like sustainability, research and <strong>the</strong>educational advancement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> region.Chancellor Dobson said he and <strong>the</strong> USCCouncil expressed complete confidence inPr<strong>of</strong>essor Hill’s ability to lead USC to anexciting future in this great region.Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hill, whose career has includedplacements at <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Queenslandand at Charles Darwin <strong>University</strong>, said hisappointment was a “dream come true”.“After working here for five years, I thinkI’ve become part <strong>of</strong> this institution and part<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> region as well,” he said.“The opportunity to move <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>forward is pretty exciting stuff. The growthrate in student numbers and research hasPr<strong>of</strong>essor Greg Hill.been quite extraordinary. We’re <strong>the</strong> fastestgrowingcampus in <strong>the</strong> country, but we can’tafford to rest on our laurels.”Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hill said he plans to developfur<strong>the</strong>r research concentrations at USC,particularly in areas like health andeducation which support <strong>the</strong> largest teachingprograms.He will also encourage <strong>the</strong> communityto become business partners with USC byco-investing in research, education andcommunity development.VIEW | EXITEcology a key issuefor Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Greg HillProtecting <strong>the</strong> environment andboosting education have long beenpassions for USC’s new Vice-ChancellorPr<strong>of</strong>essor Greg Hill.Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hill began his careeras a primary school teacher, beforecompleting a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Arts (Honours)in Geography and his PhD in Wildlife/Statistical Ecology at <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong>Queensland (UQ).He <strong>the</strong>n taught at UQ for 15 yearsand gained national recognition for histeaching innovation and technologytransfer to developing countries.He was appointed as Reader inGeographical Sciences and UQ’sDirector <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> (ARC) Key Centre in LandInformation Studies. He established andmaintains research interests in remotesensing, wildlife ecology, environmentalplanning and education.In 1995, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hill accepted<strong>the</strong> Foundation Chair in TropicalEnvironmental Science at Charles Darwin<strong>University</strong> and was a Dean from 1997.At CDU, he was actively involved in<strong>the</strong> establishment, management andgovernance <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> and nationalresearch centres, and held variousgovernment appointments includingChair Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Territory Board <strong>of</strong> Studiesand membership Kakadu National ParkResearch Advisory Committee.Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hill has been USC’s DeputyVice-Chancellor since 2005.5Fond farewellto foundingVice-ChancellorThe retirement <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Paul Thomas AMas USC’s founding Vice-Chancelloron 11 June was suitably marked as<strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> an era for <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>.Community representatives andstaff members ga<strong>the</strong>red at twospecial send-<strong>of</strong>f events in earlyJune to thank Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Thomas forhis work in guiding USC through itsestablishment and rapid growth over<strong>the</strong> past 16 years.A community send-<strong>of</strong>f at USC’sInnovation Centre auditorium on 4 Junewas attended by <strong>the</strong> region’s civic, business,education and community leaders, a dozen<strong>of</strong> whom made short speeches aboutPr<strong>of</strong>essor Thomas’s achievements.And hundreds <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> staff ga<strong>the</strong>redat <strong>the</strong> same venue on 9 June to say farewellPr<strong>of</strong>essor Paul Thomas, above, enjoys a humorous speech during a farewell event.Left: USC staff line up to say goodbye to Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Paul Thomas.to Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Thomas and pay tribute to hisenergy, vision and leadership.Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Thomas said his final week atUSC had been an emotional roller-coasterand he described it as a “real wrench” to letgo <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> he has led since initialplanning in 1994.USC opened as a <strong>University</strong> College in1996 with only 524 students, two buildingsand a choice <strong>of</strong> only two degrees.It gained full <strong>University</strong> status in 1999,and now has more than 7,000 students, 16buildings and more than 100 undergraduateand postgraduate study programs.VIEW | EXIT

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